Shane Lowry abruptly ended his post-round interviews at the Masters after a question about Rory McIlroy clearly hit a nerve. Despite a strong performance, Lowry fell short at the end, bogeying holes 17 and 18. The change in fortune left the Irish golfer visibly upset, especially when journalists queried him about McIlroy, who not only is his good friend but also a key figure in the day’s events.
“No. No, I’m not going to stand here and talk about Rory for 10 minutes,” Lowry snapped. “I’m trying to win the tournament, as well.”
Lowry continued, expressing his frustration and determination: “I know that’s what y’all want me to talk about, but I’ve just had a s**t finish, I’ve got a chance to win the Masters tomorrow, and I’m going to go hit some balls.”
Returning to the subject of McIlroy later on, Lowry credited his presence with contributing to the charged atmosphere, acknowledging the effect of the crowd’s reaction to McIlroy’s play. “I got off to a great start,” he observed.
“There was an unbelievable atmosphere out there. Rory obviously was playing good behind and the roars, you had to stand off it a little bit, wait for those to happen, wait for him to get the shots.
“But I’ve been around the block long enough to know that I need to do that. I felt like I did a good job. It’s just a very unfortunate finish. I’m very disappointed. But that’s this game. If I play the way I can play, I’ll be there or thereabouts tomorrow.”
Lowry’s frustration boiled over as he spoke about the pain he endured, particularly on the last two holes. “Yeah, a lot of pain, especially those last two holes,” he said.
“I enjoyed every bit of today and then I hit that putt on 17 and I couldn’t believe it. I thought I did great holing one back and then just hit a very poor tee shot on 18.”
He then expressed his discontent with being required to speak to the media immediately after the game. “I’m going to go and – we talk about Collin Morikawa a few weeks ago. I think we need time. I think I need a half an hour now to sit there and gather my thoughts. I can’t be coming to talk to you guys straight away. It shouldn’t be happening. I don’t agree with it,” he said.
“Tennis players have to talk to the media, but they have a half an hour or hour before they have to do it. I feel like we should have the same thing. That’s how I feel. I’m probably going to say something stupid. I probably already have said something stupid because I’m p****d off right now. I’m just going to leave, okay?” With that, Lowry walked away from the podium.
This article originally appeared on Irish Star
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